It’s finally here! Impact 1000! This episode of Impact comes to us from Westchester County Center in White Plains NY. This is such a monumental night, that it cannot be contained in just one episode! We will have a two night celebration!
We begin tonight’s action with an exclusive match on BTI.
KiLynn King vs Jody Threat
Jody delivers a series of strong clotheslines in the corner. Jody then dropkicks KiLynn off the apron, sending her crashing to the floor. KiLynn counters a head scissors attempt, then drops Jody face-first into the mat. KiLynn hits a big boot, covers Jody and gets a two. Jody kicks KiLynn off the top, causing her to topple to the floor below. Jody hits a diving senton off the apron, followed by a top rope Hurricanrana. KiLynn comes back with a Gutbuster for two. Jody successfully connects with the German suplex for the win, but it appears that the referee missed KiLynn’s foot on the bottom rope.
Impact Wrestling’s 1000th Episode begins now!
In Ring Segment:
Impact President Scott D’Amore is already in the ring.He says that anyone who watched the very first episode of Impact, the very first thing they will have seen will have been Team Canada and after 998 episodes, he couldn’t be prouder. He tells us that the next two weeks will be a celebration of Impact’s past, present and future. Scott credits the Knockouts division with being part of what made Impact so great. Scott then welcomes Impact Hall of Famer Gail Kim to the ring and she thanks the fans for making the Knockouts Division a difference maker in the wrestling industry. We then see a video of some of the greatest moments in the history of the Knockouts Division. The Beautiful People’s music hits and they make their way out.
Angelina Love and Velvet Sky confront Kim and question whether that video package truly showcased the best of the Knockouts. They insult the other Knockouts but Kim fires back and tells the Beautiful People that they’re being rude and obnoxious. Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans and Jai Vidal interrupt. Shaw apologises on behalf of Kim and the entire Knockouts Division. Shaw says that without The Beautiful People, there would be no Quintessential Diva but she has taken their spot. Gisele says that she has improved upon the Beautiful People. Velvet asks Gisele who from her generation can match up to them. Jordynne Grace is out next as she goes over the two constants in every generation: the greats like ODB, Tara, Traci Brooks and Gail Kim – and the annoying vapid bitches like The Beautiful People. Deonna Purrazzo makes her way out and says that she’s out here to represent her own generation, which started when she defeated Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts World Title. The Knockouts World Champion Trinity comes out and says that everyone in the ring paved the way for her. Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed interrupt, as Raisha says that the other Knockouts are merely fighting to see who will be the first to be crushed by Awesome Kong.
Tasha Steelz makes a surprise return, and says that you can’t talk about the Knockouts Division without mentioning her name. Steelz reveals that she will be the final member of “Team Beautiful People” for the big 10-Knockout tag team match next week. Mickie James then makes her shocking return! Mickie announces that she is the final member of “Team Over”, joining Trinity, Gail Kim, Jordynne Grace and Awesome Kong!
Backstage Segment:
Eric Young is backstage with America’s Most Wanted (James Storm and Chris Harris). Santino Marella then interrupts, he says that America’s Most Wanted “is his favourite tag team of all the times”. We hear glass break and the camera pans to Shark Boy who dropped a bottle. Shark Boy apologises and says that he likes order. Santino then asks Shark Boy if he would like to be the Deputy Director of Authority, Shark Boy agrees.
Match 1: Feast or Fired!
4 Briefcases hang high above the ring posts with three containing an opportunity at either the Impact World Title, Impact World Tag Team Titles or the Impact Digital Media Title, the final briefcase contains the infamous “fired” slip! Impact stars surround the ring and the fight is on. PCO dives through the ropes into a sea of humanity on the outside. Taurus hits KUSHIDA with a backbreaker. Laredo spikes Taurus with a Poison Rana. Chris Bey uses the back of John Skyler to give him a boost, allowing him to retrieve briefcase #3.
Chris Bey then soars over the top rope, taking out everyone and securing his briefcase.
There’s a Tower of Doom out of the corner as Sami Callihan and Heath send everyone crashing down to the mat. Sami Callihan and Heath square off before being targeted by Crazzy Steve. Crazzy Steve retrieves case #1 and drives a fork into the gut of Brian Myers to secure his way to the floor.
Moose is Caught in the Crosshairs of Steve Maclin, followed by the KIA. Johnny Swinger locks in a Sleeper on Jai Vidal. Sami Callihan spikes Alpha Bravo with the Cactus Driver 97. Kevin Knight hits a springboard crossbody on John Skyler. JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) plant Kid with the One Hit Wonder. Joe Hendry protects Yuya Uemura as he retrieves briefcase #4. JOYA plays a game of keep-away, allowing Uemura to escape to the floor.
Jai Vidal wants to form an alliance with PCO but PCO makes him pay with a Chokeslam. Sami Callihan pulls PCO off the top rope, sending him crashing back-first on the apron. Steve Maclin retrieves the final briefcase but Rhino returns and Gores it out of his hands. The briefcase goes flying and Moose secures it on the outside.
Our final holders of the briefcases are Chris Bey, Crazzy Steve, Yuya Uemura & Moose.
An excellent opening match. I love the concept of Feast or Fired, especially past iterations of the match where there have been different items up for grabs. This one was the standard 3 title opportunities or fired. It’s a little nerve wracking now waiting to see who got what briefcase, as I don’t think any of these men deserve the “fired” case, but I am very excited to see who will be in the title pictures. Grade B
Backstage Interview:
Gia Miller is backstage with Chris Sabin. Sabin says that he does not respect Lio Rush. Sabin says that not only will he beat Lio Rush, but he will make history by becoming the 1st ever 10 time X-Division Champion.
Match 2: Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Champagne Singh) vs Team 3D (Bully Ray & Devon)
Devon brings the fight to both of his opponents with a double running clothesline. Team 3D hit Singh with their signature back suplex neckbreaker. Rohit provides a distraction on the apron, allowing Champagne to send Bully soaring off the top rope. Bully spears Rohit before making the tag to Devon. The pace quickens as Devon hits Champagne with a Spinebuster. Devon shows Rohit “What’s Up” before getting the tables. Bully and Devon put Champagne away with the 3D to win.
There was no other way this match was ending really. A nice nostalgic win for Team 3D. Grade C-
After the match, Rohit Raju gets powerbombed through a table.
Backstage Segment:
Josh Alexander is seen walking backstage. He sees the Rascalz eating pizza on the floor. Josh says that they are making a mess. Trey Miguel then makes a joke about Josh being 10 lbs lighter. Josh then throws Trey’s bag away and challenges them to a 2 on 1 match match. The Rascalz walk away.
In Ring Segment:
Josh Alexander is in the ring. He says that he is proud to say that he’s been an Impact fan for the last 21 years and he never thought that he would be standing here on the historic 1000th episode. Josh turns his attention towards reclaiming the title he never lost, his Impact World Championship. Josh is interrupted by Alex Shelley’s music. Alex tells Josh that the Impact World Title is not his anymore and calls himself the face of the company. Alex says that it’s because of his hard work that Josh has a place like Impact to make a living. Josh says that the old saying must be true, don’t meet your heroes because you might be disappointed. Josh then reminds Alex of their first Impact World Title match, in which Josh was victorious. Alex wants to prove that he’s the better man now. Josh is ready to fight when they’re both jumped by the Impact World Tag Team Champions, the Rascalz. Alex refuses to fight alongside Josh as he watches the Rascalz take out Josh Alexander.
Backstage Segment:
The Rascalz are walking backstage and they are approached by Shark Boy. He books Trey Miguel vs Josh Alexander in a 1-on-1 match next week. Santino Marella appears and tells Shark Boy that he is a natural. Kenny King then shows up and he is not happy. He says that he wants his Digital Media Championship rematch. Santino says that he can’t do that, but there is an Impact legend who is looking for a fight. Santino then books Kenny King vs Eric Young for next week.
Match 3: Eddie & Alisha Edwards vs Frankie Kazarian & Traci Brooks
Alisha slaps Traci in the face. Traci takes Alisha down, then begins hitting her with strikes. Frankie hits a slingshot Hurricanrana, taking out Eddie on the floor. Back in the ring, Alisha knees Frankie from the apron. The distraction allows Eddie to gain control with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Moments later, Frankie creates separation with a backstabber. Frankie is about to tag in Traci but Alisha pulls her off the apron. Alisha spikes Frankie with a tornado DDT on the outside. Frankie traps Eddie underneath his weight, then suplexes Alisha to turn the tide. Traci enters the match with a burst of speed and delivers a spear to Alisha. Traci counters a Backpack Stunner from Eddie with an eye rake. Traci hits X Factor on Eddie, which is followed by a running knee from Frankie. Traci connects with Fade to Black to score the pinfall on Alisha.
A good match. I’m hoping that is the end of the husbands/wives rivalry. Nothing against these four competitors, but it just seems like it's a rivalry pulled out of nowhere and they have just ran with it. Grade C
After the match, Frankie gets a microphone. He says that tonight has been a big night of celebrations, but there is one more thing left. Frankie then directs us to the screen where we see a video package announcing Traci Brooks as the next inductee in the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame at Bound for Glory.
Backstage Interview:
Gia Miller is backstage with Lio Rush. Lio says that he is not worried about Chris Sabin. Lio says that he is coming in hot like he always does. He vows to remain X-Division Champion.
Backstage Segment:
Tommy Dreamer is backstage. He says that winning the Digital Media Championship was one of the greatest moments of his life. He says that he is going to defend the title anywhere and have fun doing it.
Main Event: X-Division Championship Match - Lio Rush vs Chris Sabin
Lio knocks Chris off the apron with a handspring kick, then follows up with a dive through the ropes. Back in the ring, the referee is checking on Chris but it appears that he’s playing possum as he rolls up Lio for two. Chris is in control following a strong running clothesline. Lio bounces back with a springboard Hurricanrana. Lio slows the pace down as he ties him up with a submission. Lio then hits a belly-to-back suplex, covers Chris for a two. Chris counters an Irish whip, then turns Lio inside out with a Missile Dropkick. Chris goes for the Cradle Shock but Lio rakes the eyes to counter. Chris retreats to the outside but Lio follows him with a springboard Moonsault. Lio continues the assault with a vertical suplex on the steel ramp. Moments later, Chris hits a Superplex off the top rope. Chris hits a powerbomb, covering Lio for two. Lio avoids the Cradle Shock once again but Chris locks in the STF instead. Chris connects with the Clothesline from Hell, Michigan, followed by the Cradle Shock but Lio somehow manages to kick out at two. Lio rakes Chris’ eyes on the top rope, then connects with the Final Hour for a near fall of his own.
Chris hits Shellshock, followed by the Cradle Shock to become a 10-time X-Division Champion.
Wow! What an amazing match. Chris Sabin is definitely one of the best wrestlers on this roster. He deserves this incredible win. I’m not a fan of Lio Rush, but he put on an incredible match with Sabin. A well deserved main event spot for these two. Grade A
After the match, the Impact locker room empties out to come and celebrate Chris Sabin’s win. Sabin is hoisted up on the shoulders of his peers as Impact goes off the air.
This was an amazing episode of Impact Wrestling. What a brilliant way to celebrate 1000 episodes. I cannot wait for the celebration to continue next week.
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